Yankee Songs: A Collection of Tracks about Delinquents, Rebels, and Mischief
When you think of “yankees” and “tsuppari” (delinquent youth), a lot of images come to mind—motorbikes, fights, tokkofuku (special long jackets), and more.
From the past to the present, it’s a theme that often appears in dramas, movies, and manga, packed with cool elements like friendship, manly spirit, and clumsy kindness.
In this article, we’ll be introducing plenty of songs themed around these yankees and tsuppari! We’ll be featuring not only Showa-era tracks but also more recent releases.
Now, let’s dive in and start listening!
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Yankee Songs: A Collection of Rebel/Delinquent/Rowdy Tracks (51–60)
JINGI: I will make you love meNagayama Miho
Released in 1986 as Miho Nakayama’s sixth single, “JINGI: Aisitemorai-masu” is an up-tempo, catchy pop number! Chosen as the theme song for the delinquent youth film Be-Bop High School: Koko Yotaro Aika, in which Nakayama herself starred, it also drew attention as a Showa-era classic thanks to lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Tetsuya Komuro.
Its bittersweet melody and vocals, tinged with the pains of youth, make it a highly appealing pop song.
crowONE OK ROCK
If you don’t want to be swept along by others and want to move forward just as you wish, give this a listen.
It’s a track by ONE OK ROCK, a popular rock band active overseas as well.
It was included as a B-side on their second single “Yume Yume,” released in 2007.
Energetic yet cool in sound—very much classic ONE OK ROCK.
It’s a fiery hard rock number that ignites the emotions sleeping deep in your chest.
High-Teen BoogieKondō Masahiko
This song, which served as the theme for the film High Teen Boogie—a story about a rebellious transfer student and a high school girl who has lost her parents—is one of Masahiko Kondo’s signature hits, released in 1982.
The lyrics were written by Takashi Matsumoto, and, surprisingly, the music was composed by Tatsuro Yamashita.
The chorus, which interplays with Kondo’s vocals, is performed by none other than Mariya Takeuchi and EPO.
It’s an incredibly lavish lineup that feels worlds apart from the “delinquent” image.
There’s also a version by Yamashita himself, so be sure to give it a listen.
One-on-One FantasyKishidan
This song conveys the tense atmosphere of a one-on-one showdown.
It was included on Kishidan’s original album “THE YANK ROCK HEROES,” their first in about seven years, released in January 2023.
The track was chosen as the theme song for the TV Tokyo drama “Metropolitan Police Department Deliberation Division.” With provocative lyrics, it’s a mid-tempo dance-rock number brimming with rebellious spirit.
Its straightforward sound is a major draw, making it a great recommendation when you want to feel positive or psych yourself up.
Top-speed Rock ‘n’ RollYokohama Ginbae
As a symbol of the ‘tsuppari’ (delinquent youth) culture, this is a signature song by Yokohama Ginbae, the rock band that took the 1980s by storm.
It was included on their debut album Buttigiri, released in September 1980.
Riding on a driving rock ’n’ roll sound, it sings of the youthful energy that blazes through Saturday night at full throttle.
You can feel the recklessness of youth and that headlong momentum of not caring about tomorrow.
It’s recommended not only for adults nostalgic for their younger days, but also for young people who want to live fully in the present.